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‘Security problems could arise if relief delayed’

Lawmakers have warned that there could be serious security problems in the earthquake-affected areas if the government did not promptly deliver adequate relief materaials and initiate the rehabilitation works there.

During a meeting of the Parliamentary Special Committee on Friday, lawmakers said the people in the quake-hit areas have been angred by the government’s poor response in the wake of the April 25 earthquake.

“People are angry and frustrated at this government, and this could pose a serious security challenge,” said UCPN (Maoist) lawmaker Top Bahadur Rayamajhi, while tabling the report on the situation of the earthquake victims.

Saying that the government is unclear about the exact amount of relief to be given to the victims, lawmakers said that the matter could dealy the relief distribution works, feulling the anger among the victims.

In his address to the earthquake victims, Prime Minister Sushil Koirala had announced to provide Rs 200,000 each to the families rendered homeless and Rs 25,000 each to those families whose houses were damaged and need to be repaired. He had also announced to provide two bundles of zinc sheet or Rs 15,000 to construct temporary shelters. Many victims are yet to received the announced relief.

“The government has made the decision, but It is not yet clear how these decisions will be implemented,” said CPN-UML lawmaker Bishnu Poudel.

Among 14 committees formed to monitor post-quake situation, only four have presented their reports to Parliament so far.

Speaker Subas Nemabang, who is also the chairman of the Parliamentary Special Committee, said discussions on the report would be held in Parliament after all the committees have submitted their reports.

The parliamentary teams deployed to asses situation in the quake-affected districts have suggested the government to relocate some settlements that are at high risk of landslides and floods. They have also suggested keeping at least four months worth of food stock in the earthquake-affected districts.

The lawmakers’ teams deployed in Sindhupalchok, Dhading, Sindhuli and Okhaldhunga districts recommended the government to immediately provide Rs 15,000 for the construction of temporary shelters.

The lawmakers who visited Sindhupalchok for assessment suggested the government to provide funds for shelter building to all the families in the district, saying that none of the houses there are safe after the April 25 earthquake and its aftershocks.

“There is no need to go to the villages and asses how many houses are okay. All houses are unfit to live in,” said UCPN (Maoist) lawmaker Rekha Sharma.

Lawmakers also raised concern about the absence of civil servants in the quake- affected districts. They have recommended mobilising more civil servants in the quake-hit districts for timely and smooth supply of relief materials.

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